01-05-2025
The history of Scotland's fire festival Beltane as Scots celebrate start of summer
May 1 marks an ancient Gaelic festival that celebrates the start of summer with rituals and bonfires.
Most of us will recognise the beginning of June as the start of the summer. But centuries ago, Scotland actually celebrated the new season on May 1, with an ancient festival that marked the end of spring.
Beltane is a Gaelic festival that dates way back to the Iron Age, which was historically celebrated across Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. This ancient celebration is just one of four Gaelic festivals that signify the start of each new season—the others being Samhuinn on November 1, Imbolc on February 1, and Lughnasadh on August 1.
Latha Bealltainn (which means Beltane in Scots Gaelic), is believed to translate to 'bright fire'. Traditionally, the festival ushered in the start of the pastoral summer season, during which time livestock was moved to summer pastures.
Due to the fact that crops and livestock such as cattle were so important during this time, ancient societies would carry out rituals at Beltane in order to protect them from natural- or supernatural- harm.
These ritualistic practices usually featured fire, and were carried out to please spirits or fairies that were believed to possess significant power over the lands.
Burning bonfires was one of the most notable rituals that took place during the festival of Beltane, which was done to commemorate the growing power of the sun in summer after long months of winter darkness.
Flames, smoke, and ash were all thought to possess mystical protective properties, and the festival also saw both people and livestock moving around the fire, and in some cases even leaping over it.
Another practice that was commonly carried out was the decorating of cattle horns with flowers to appease the fairies, and the offering of food or milk at trees where they were thought to live.
Some communities also traditionally chose a virgin woman to be their 'May Queen', who would lead marches and songs at Beltane.
A local man would also be selected as the 'Green Man', and the two would marry in a symbolic ceremony that represented fertility and rebirth as summer began.
Nowadays, the festival of Beltane has been modernised and takes place on Edinburgh's Calton hill on the evening of April 30. It takes the form of a procession that starts at Edinburgh's National Monument.
The modern version of this ancient festival involves acrobats, dancers, musicians, puppeteers, and of course, fire.
The festival is an immersive and interactive experience, with no barriers between the audience and performers.
Characters from the original celebration will make an appearance as the May Queen and the Green Man lead the procession. Performers are painted bright colours, while many of them appear semi-nude as they follow in the parade.
Over the course of the festival, guests observe the death and rebirth of the Green Man in a symbolic ritual echoing the ancient festival, and signalling the beginning of summer.
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